A Catholic Blog
A priest writing reflections on theology, philosophy, and Catholicism. I'll occasionaly write movie reviews, rants, and discussion topics. I write from my experiences, personal and intellectual, for my benefit and yours (should you get any from it). None of what I write is official or representative of my diocese or parish, just my semi-public attempt at figuring things out and sharing it with you for the sake of dialogue.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Peter at the Head: A Lesson in Leadership

This was a reflection given today, 4/5/2013 on the readings from Acts 4:1-12, Ps 188, and Jn 21:1-14. They may be found here, though I tried to write in a way that you wouldn't necessarily have to read them--but they are recommended.

Peter is the leader of
both these Scripture passages and present us with lessons about human
leadership. Peter, because of his temperament, was a leader.
Scripture, when it lists the Twelve (or any group of them) always
names him first, and he teaches us by his example both positively and
negatively. The way light is used, additionally, helps us to discern
the meaning behind his actions.

In the Acts of the
Apostles, Peter and John enter the temple because they are on their
way to the 3 o'clock hour of prayer (cf. Acts 3:1-10). As they go on
their way to pray with everyone else they encounter a man begging at
the temple gate. Peter said to him first “I can neither give you
silver or gold … but what I do I have I give you … Jesus the
Nazorean” (Acts 3:6). Peter promised him nothing earthly. He did
not promise him healing nor did he promise him a life of wealth. He
rather gave him Christ and the crippled man became strong.

By his example Peter
showed us how the weak and infirm are made strong through Jesus
Christ. He also showed us that those of us who are strong now should
look kindly on the elderly, weak, and sick and never deprive Christ
from their presence. The moment the two encountered this man in the
power of the Spirit, he entered the temple praising God.

This was after the
Resurrection, after Peter had encountered Christ and had been
instructed by Him personally. In the Gospel we see the process it
took for Peter to get there.

In the evening Peter again
takes the initiative by saying “I am going fishing” (Jn 21:3) and
the others follow. The Evangelist John notes that they caught nothing
and it was during the night. They labored in darkness and Peter led
them into darkness. By morning they had nothing to show for their
labors. This is the danger of any human leadership, that we might
mislead them. All the same no one complained and no one abandoned
Peter in his labor—they went out together and remained faithful to
one another.

Dawn came, and the moment Peter could be sure it was Christ, he hurried to Him.

Then dawn came, can
Jesus stood along the shore. He commanded them to cast their nets
into the sea, the same labor they did in darkness, and
immediately their nets were full. The one who loved Jesus, John,
pointed out that it was Jesus who lead them. Upon hearing this Peter
girded himself and ran towards Christ, jumping into the sea to get at
him before anyone else. Peter, where he had misled his brethren now
leads them again. He had been in error, but when the Truth had been
pointed out to him he ran to it. Jesus commanded His disciples to
bring him their catch, and again Peter was the first to bring all
they had.

Scripture teaches us
simply, brothers and sisters, that there will be those who lead us
and that at times they will be in error. But if they preach Christ
and know Christ they will follow after him first and foremost. Will
we allow ourselves to lead when we find Christ? Will we allow
ourselves to be led?

We know that we have much
to give, but we must first give Christ to others. Labor in the light
of Christ and bring all you have to him, then your work will be
blessed and others will emerge from darkness and praise God.

***

There are many other rich meanings to these passages, especially the Gospel. I wish I could review them all, especially the parallels and differences between Lk 5:1-11 and this Gospel. Maybe I will in the future.

Please feel free to leave a comment on content, or a critique on style/presentation. Thanks again!